Bluegrass concert returns to Ionia Theatre

Eight bands complete with banjos, fiddles and guitars will take center stage at the Ionia Theatre Sunday to entertain at the Ionia Bluegrass Special.

The event lasts from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and will feature a new band every 30 minutes.

"It's a genre you don't hear a lot of, but it's more popular than people in our area realize," said Bluegrass Special coordinator Polly Misner.

The line-up includes Jimmy Champane & Friends at 1:30 p.m., Chari Miles at 2 p.m., Just Jammin' Band at 2:30 p.m., Billy Strings & Don Julin at 3 p.m., Deadwood at 3:30 p.m., Out of the Blue at 4 p.m., Steam Power Bluegrass Band at 4:30 p.m. and The Windy Mountain Boys at 5 p.m.

Misner said the event is a fun way for families to spend a part of their day and enjoy bluegrass music that is mixed with other genres including gospel and Celtic.

She said she began the bluegrass concert in 1999 in honor of her father, who used to play in Lansing. Following his death in December of 2011, the shows stopped. However, she is bringing them back on an annual basis.

"We kind of wanted to keep his memory going," Misner added.

Donations to enter the event will be accepted at the door and will benefit the Ionia Historical Theatre Association. Doors open at 1 p.m.

For more information, call the Ionia Theatre at 616-527-3350 or visit www.facebook.com/ionia.bluegrass.